I’m going to miss the hot breeze blowing on my face, wishing winter were here. I’m going to miss the hummingbirds zooming around my head as I step out on my porch. I’m going to miss my rose of Sharon bush in bloom, and the scent of my giant purple butterfly bush in the backyard. I’m going to miss the butterflies all around that bush, too many different kinds to count.

I’m going to miss the late evening sunsets and the really early sunrises. I’m going to miss the different colors of green all around me, from the trees to the bushes to the weeds in my yard.

I’m going to miss the families of birds at my bird feeder, and the little house wrens that build nests in my flower pots, bless them all. I’m going to miss the sudden thunderstorms and lighting strikes and the rainbows that follow. I’m going to miss the fresh vegetables and the fruits that run juices down the corner of my mouth.

I’ll miss the kids playing in the park, swimming in the pools and having so much fun since school is released. I’ll miss my grandkids spending weekends with me and sometimes all week. I’ll miss my weekends at the lake with my sister, fishing and hiking and cooking out at nights. I’ll miss the smells of hot dogs and hamburgers sizzling on the grill in the evening.

I’ll miss the lightning bugs in the trees at night. I’ll miss the fireworks on the Fourth of July. I guess I’ll just miss summer.

Pamela McKenzie Lynthacum

West End